How one professor was wrongly fired and then vindicated

A former Professor and lecturer in the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), situated in Ekiti state, namely Niyi Akingbe, is on the verge of receiving a significant compensation amounting to a substantial N40 million due to being wrongfully dismissed from his position.

This pivotal ruling was handed down by the National Industrial Court based in Akure, following a legal battle that spanned approximately six years.

Professor Akingbe had held the esteemed post of Acting Dean in the Faculty of Arts at the institution until his sudden termination in 2018 stemming from accusations of plagiarism.

Prior to his abrupt dismissal, Professor Akingbe had been known for his outspoken criticisms of the university’s administration, particularly targeting the former Vice Chancellor, Kayode Soremekun, who ultimately played a key role in his removal from the university staff.

However, in a turn of events that underscores the complexities of the judicial system, the court recently rendered a groundbreaking verdict that vindicated Professor Akingbe of all allegations pertaining to plagiarism.

This significant legal development was fueled by the court’s critical observation that the purported plagiarism charges against the professor were unfounded, lacking any substantial evidence to support them.

Furthermore, the court made a notable determination that the university had failed to adhere to the formal procedures mandated by the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti Act of 2015 and the corresponding regulations governing the employment conditions of senior staff members.

Notably, the presiding judge, Honourable Justice K.D Damulak, emphasized in the court’s official judgment that the dismissal of Professor Akingbe without affording him a fair hearing was deemed null and void in the eyes of the law.

Moreover, the court decreed that the university was obligated to promptly remit a significant sum of N40,000,000 (Forty million Naira only) as general damages to Professor Akingbe within a strict thirty-day timeframe following the issuance of the judgement, with any delay in payment incurring a 10% annual interest penalty as stipulated by the court’s order.

This landmark ruling effectively closed a contentious chapter in Professor Akingbe’s professional life, ultimately vindicating his innocence and underscoring the paramount importance of due process and fair treatment in employment disputes within educational institutions.

“A declaration that the claimant’s dismissal vide letter dated 31st October 2018 without fair hearing is null and void. The defendant is hereby ordered to pay the claimant general damages assessed at N40,000,000(Forty million Naira only) within Thirty days of this judgement or the sum shall attract 10% interest per annum. This is the judgement of the court and it is hereby entered.”

Source: NewsandVibes.com